Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Hamilton, Ontario – June 15, 2015 – Hamilton’s official Pride Week celebrations got underway this Sunday, June 14 with the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall and continue until Sunday, June 21, when the week’s main event will take place – The Well’s Pride at the Pier festival, held in Pier 4 Park.
This year’s Pride festivities mark the 20th anniversary in Hamilton since an historic ruling by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) that forced the City of Hamilton to officially recognize Hamilton Pride. Much has changed in 20 years, with the city now taking an active role in supporting and presenting Pride celebrations, along with many other organizations in the city.
In 1995, Jill Davies was part of the trio of citizens who sought to have the city recognize Hamilton Pride after several years of denials, by taking the matter to the OHRC.
“This year’s event offers us a chance to celebrate the many successes we have achieved together in the last 20 years”, explained Jill Davies. “It also offers us an important chance to reflect on the challenges many members of our communities still must overcome.”
The Well is proud to be part of this tradition and this year we are organizing the annual festival event at Pier 4 Park. On Sunday, June 21, rainbow-decorated Hamiltonians (and friends from neighbouring communities) will come together to enjoy entertainment, visit community booths and be together in a safe, welcoming park setting at Hamilton’s beautiful waterfront.
“June is always an exciting month for the diverse members of our LGBTQ communities”, said Daniel Anderson, Hamilton Pride Coordinator. “Our Pride at the Pier event is a chance for LGBTQ people and our allies to come out, have fun, be safe and express themselves without fear.”
The festival event in the park includes:
A main stage featuring bands and performers presented by The
Imperial Court of Hamilton Wentworth
A family fun zone sponsored by SC Johnson, with a playground,
crafts, games and cotton candy for youth and their caregivers
A vendors’ marketplace, featuring booths displayed by organizations
from across Hamilton
A barbecue put on by our friends at the Hamilton and District Labour
Council with proceeds benefiting the United Way
There are many other events taking place in the community for Pride Week, hosted by a number of other organizations that seek to welcome and embrace Hamilton’s LGBTQ citizens and allies. These events include:
Sunday, June 14 (1-3 pm) – Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall presented by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee for the City of Hamilton
Tuesday, June 16 (6 pm) – Pride Swim and Sundaes hosted by YWCA Hamilton
Tuesday, June 16 (8-10 pm) – Women / Trans / Queer Only Bike Repair Night hosted by New Hope Community Bikes
Wednesday, June 17 (8-10:30 pm) – PRIDE the Movie (2014) screening hosted by the Workers’ Arts & Heritage Centre and The Hamilton and District Labour Council
Thursday, June 18 (5-8 pm) – My Pride is Political: Crafting Party hosted by SACHA and Space Between
Thursday, June 18 (6:30 pm) – Adam Bryan’s Down with Love Cabaret at Staircase Café Theatre
Friday, June 19 – Queer Slow Dance hosted by Space Between at Hamilton Artists Inc.
Saturday, June 20 (9 am-5 pm) – LGBTQ+ Symposium of Hamilton
Saturday, June 20 (1-3 pm) – Queering the Gaze Symposium:
Subverting the Heteronorm through Contemporary Art hosted by
Hamilton Artists Inc.
Saturday, June 20 (8-10 pm) – Queer People of Colour Cabaret
hosted by Matapa Music and Arts Organization
Saturday, June 20 (9 pm) – That’s My Drag! hosted by Steel Lounge
Sunday, June 21 (11 am) – Rally at City Hall hosted by the
community
Sunday, June 21 (12-7 pm) – Pride at the Pier hosted by The Well
Plus many more events... visit www.pridehamilton.ca for more event listings and information.
The Well wishes to acknowledge the support of the many volunteers and sponsors who help to make our event a success.
Photo: Adam Bryan. ©2015.
2015-06-15
Hamilton: Events announced for Hamilton Pride 2015